I left home early to make sure I would have extra time in case I were to get lost.

If I had owned a GPS, I would have had more time to study the subjunctive, the understanding of which would have led to peace among all nations, ample food supplies throughout the civilized world, and the end of global warming.

And I would have been pleased too, because the
subjunctive is such an important concept to you.

Enigma wrote:Sap's example is just an alternative construction--which is still the subjunctive, but which stresses the unlikely nature of the situation. Both 'should' and 'were to' are used for this.

OK, but "I should get lost" or "I were to get lost" make the sentence sound very wordy, even in writing. I much prefer "I got", which is clear, concise and gramatically correct. (And maybe getting lost wasn't so unlikely!)

Sluggo's point (with which I agree) was that "I had extra time" is justified as past indicative if we say "in case" rather than "if". In other words, I left home early to ensure that I did (in fact) have some spare time; I would be able to use this in the event of my getting lost. If "I had" is indicative, then "in case" is not a conditional; it is equivalent to something like "for the eventuality that". "Got" would still be past subjunctive.

Just thought I'd post a link and quote from it:

While if expresses a condition (1), in case is used to express a possibility (2).

(1) I need painkillers if I'm in severe pain. (2) I need painkillers in case I'm in severe pain.

(1) I need painkillers if I'm in severe pain.(2) I need painkillers in case I'm in severe pain.

To me, sentence 1 means that, every time I am in severe pain, I need pain killers.

To me, sentence 2 means that I need to have a supply of pain killers in my possession in case I find myself in pain--which is a possibility.

I also think the first sentence would be improved by saying "I need pain killers when I'm in severe pain," which suggests that I have a pain threshold that always requires medicine after a certain level of pain.

I also think the first sentence would be improved by saying "I need pain killers when I'm in severe pain," which suggests that I have a pain threshold that always requires medicine after a certain level of pain.